LabRadar Review - 12/5/15 Update to OP

[ROK]

Yup, it will

Thanks.
I charged the usb batteries and will open the sd card when I have the labradar. Midway said I should have it Tuesday by 7pm. Too late to take to the range. Probably Wednesday. I'm really curious to see if it can read 148gr hbwc from my .38...

 

[Magload]

I have done a lot of testing with handgun loads in a lot of calibers and had no problem reading any of them.
BTW a longer tube for sighting helps the alignment mine is a 6" carbon fiber tube that I had left over from a tent frame. I use the bag they sell so can't leave it on the unit that is why I use the Velcro. You don't need to mount it but keeping it in the slot is hard when adjusting.

I also tried clear Silicone to mount the laser in the V but it didn't stivk to the plastic very well. The red laser saw only about 2 inches long and I wired it to a USB cable and used the second port on my battery. Worked good indoors. [ame="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ARAVIMC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]Amazon.com : Quarton Laser Module VLM-650-03 LPA (ECONOMICAL DOT LASER) : Laser Pointers : Electronics[/ame]

 

[Nemo288]

I have found out a couple of things that may help.

The LabRadar works best when it is absolutely motionless.
I was having trouble getting any readings at all when it was mounted on their stand and the stand was on the firing ledge next to my sandbags at the range.
These "desks" bounce up and down as they are made of plastic.
Last time out I mounted the LabRadar on a tripod and moved it up as close as I could to the firing position.
WAY better. Got a reading every time (unless I forgot to arm it).
Their stand is kind of a PITA to mount the unit on anyway.
The new mount they will be offering is way better but for now a tripod is the way to go unless you have a rock solid bench.

The LabRadar never turns completely off.
I had a set of the regular batteries installed and then I used the rechargeable pack while firing.
The batteries I had put in and then shut the unit off a couple of weeks ago.
I was thinking maybe this would keep the clock going.
It did until the batteries died. While the unit was turned "off".
It ate the whole set. While the unit was turned off.
So now I have one of the big packs plugged in and it is eating that too.
You can watch the little status lights on the pack.
Started with all 4 lit. Now down to 2 after 4 days.
That's a lot of juice to just run the clock.
They should have put in a clock chip and a lithium chip battery that lasts 10 years like every computer motherboard ever made.
Like every digital watch ever made.
This means you cannot just leave a set of the alkaline AA batteries installed.
They will be dead in a few days.
It also may mean you will have to reset the clock every time you use the unit if you want the clock to be correct.
I hope a future firmware upgrade can address this issue.

This last time out I simultaneously used the Magnetospeed and the LabRadar to test the similarities and possible differences.
I will post the results when I have transcribed them.
The LabRadar readings were consistently (slightly) slower than the Magnetospeed.

The sighting ideas are great. I have a laser boresighter for 44's and will try using that.
Since my indoor range is only 20 yards long max, I have had no real trouble just eyeballing the aiming.

For carrying the LabRadar and all the accessories, I broke out an old laptop attache case.
The unit, the base, all the batteries, and any other stuff you may have fit in there great.
LabRadar's case is overpriced for what it is. I would not buy it if I was doing this all over.
Ditto the energy pack. I got a second identical one for $10 online.

 

[Twoboxer]

Thanks.
I charged the usb batteries and will open the sd card when I have the labradar. Midway said I should have it Tuesday by 7pm. Too late to take to the range. Probably Wednesday. I'm really curious to see if it can read 148gr hbwc from my .38...

Easily. Just make sure you set the speed range to "Pistol".

 

[ROK]

Did not ship yet.
Sad panda
But there is always tomorrow!

 

[Twoboxer]

Just noticed on the Labradar web site . . . there's a new (to me) firmware version available.

You might want to check and see if it's an update for you.

 

[Nemo288]

Installing now (v. 1.4).

The fixes are pretty minor:
" Added trigger source information on screen:
- Right arrow for right internal trigger
- Left arrow for left internal trigger
- Ext. for External trigger
- air waves for Doppler trigger

- Adjustment of external trigger levels for improved performances

- Minor bug fix"

Too bad they don't tell us what the bug was.

 

[ROK]

Mine arrived this afternoon. Firmware A 114, B 100.
Off to source a laptop bag/backpack/messenger case for the unit.
Will shoot tomorrow. Storms predicted in the afternoon, so bright and early at the range.

 

[Magload]

Installed the update but misinterpreted what the right and left arrows did. I was thinking I was going to get to select what side the sensor I used was on. Emailed them and got the answer right back it just shows what one was used on the screen after the shot. I already suspected it was the side closes to the muzzle.

 

[Nemo288]

Fairly worthless bells and whistles unless maybe one of mics burns out.
Then you might be able to tell when you only get one sensor used no matter what.
I'd like to be able to vary slightly the way it calculates the MV so as to calibrate it to other machines.
Or at least have it explained better how this happens.

 

[Twoboxer]

Installed the update but misinterpreted what the right and left arrows did. I was thinking I was going to get to select what side the sensor I used was on. Emailed them and got the answer right back it just shows what one was used on the screen after the shot. I already suspected it was the side closes to the muzzle.

Gives me a thought . . . wonder if you muffle (eg) the right-side mic while shooting near the left mic.

Might help minimize picking up others' shots in some situations.

 

[ROK]

Beat the rain. PA Game Commission range in Tobyhanna. Tables at 50 and 100 yards. Standing tables on the 10 and 25 around a berm. I camped out at a 50 yard berth.

The LabRadar ran perfectly. I shot 200 of my 148gr hollow base wad cutters, 30 148gr button nose and 50 lswc-hp. Every shot was picked up except the first. I forgot to arm the unit. Brought the manual just in case, but didn't use it. And have it on my phone. I did 2 series, the 148s and the 158s. I should have broke it down into 148s and 158s for each gun.

Battery life was not a concern during my 2 1/2 hour visit. Battery display showed 3/4 battery and the pack agreed. Display was easy to read in the super bright morning sun. I wrote down my data too, just like I used to.

I used the 1 setting for sensitivity, and distance as 12". I brought a selection of stirrers and straws (and gum!), but the LR just worked w/o any fine aiming necessary.

I like it.
+++
2 other picture I took w/ the cell phone->

 

[Magload]

Nice picture glad it worked out. I mounted a extra mount toward the front edge of the plate which I got on Amazon. some times I couldn't get the Labradar far enough forward depending on the gun and bench I was using. I set a heavy lead ingot and my battery pack on the aft edge to balance it.

 

[Nemo288]

ROK: That looks like the new base mount with a tripod shoe.
Way nicer than the original mount!
I am going to see if they will sell me just the mount as I already have the base.

Looking at your picture reminds me that all radiation tends to spread out as it goes along.
The radar beam is going to get bigger at longer ranges.
This may explain some of your ease at "aiming" at 50 yds. and some of our problems at closer range.
Proper aim IS going to help maximize the return signal however.
I'd be interested to know what kind of power it is radiating.

I used to aim, at long distance, microwave paths that were roughly 1KW/cm^2 in power.
Then they were fed to dishes that were 4 to 10 feet in diameter.
You did NOT want to get in front of those beams.
I have a scar on my hand from working on the bench with one of the transmitters.

 

[Magload]

ROK: That looks like the new base mount with a tripod shoe.
Way nicer than the original mount!
I am going to see if they will sell me just the mount as I already have the base.

Looking at your picture reminds me that all radiation tends to spread out as it goes along.
The radar beam is going to get bigger at longer ranges.
This may explain some of your ease at "aiming" at 50 yds. and some of our problems at closer range.
Proper aim IS going to help maximize the return signal however.
I'd be interested to know what kind of power it is radiating.

I used to aim, at long distance, microwave paths that were roughly 1KW/cm^2 in power.
Then they were fed to dishes that were 4 to 10 feet in diameter.
You did NOT want to get in front of those beams.
I have a scar on my hand from working on the bench with one of the transmitters.

This is what I mounted on the front edge of my plate. My plate is the same one that is shown in Nemo228's photo.
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[Nemo288]

Guess I'd be wanting something more like this which has a quick disconnect tripod shoe and looks a lot like ROK's mount.
Note the LabRadar uses the small standard 1/4x20 screw.
Most "professional" mounts use the larger 3/8x16 screw.
[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Five-Season-Movement-Calibrated-Precision/dp/B015F4XG42/ref=sr_1_14?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1467936401&sr=1-14&keywords=1%2F4%22x20+tripod+head"]Amazon.com : Five Season Pro-D Km-0 7049 Ball Head 360D Panning Movement with Calibrated Precision & 1/4"-20 QR Plate : Camera & Photo[/ame]

 

[ROK]

I can not comment on any other mount-I've only seen the one in my pictures and have. The mount snugs down well and held on target. Monday I'll try to get to another range w/ tables set for 25 yards and see how my 'aiming' goes. Gum is in the car and straws/stirrers are packed w/ the LabRadar.

I did pack 2 c-clamps to fasten the base plate down, but the concrete table was too thick. Most PA Game Commission range table tops are 3/4" plywood, not concrete. I was surprised.

 

[Twoboxer]

Usually I push the LR forward with the base half off the bench to get it closer to the muzzle of longer rifles and use a c-clamp to hold it.

Today I got lazy and decided to try putting the LR in the middle of the bench, just about at the chamber of a 26" rifle. The LR worked fine.

Only thought nagging at me is whether that affects velocity readings. Distance shouldn't affect doppler radar readings . . . but I think I may ask the makers anyhow.

 

[Nemo288]

That will be interesting.
Goes back to the algorithm used to determine the "muzzle" velocity.
If the initial reflection varies all over the place in distance, how do they figure out where the muzzle is?
Triangulate the 2 mics and the first radar pulse?
Next time out I will vary the "trigger distance" while leaving the muzzle in the same place and see what, if any, changes occur in the numbers rendered.
I have been shooting the 445 Encore with the muzzle about a foot in front of the radar to keep some of the blast off it.
Moving the barrel closer and closer to the radar has helped reliably trigger it.
I have no idea how loud you have to be to use some of the less sensitive trigger levels.
I can't even get to 2 without losing some shots.
Then again I am only burning 30-35 grains of powder and the big boys go well over 100 and some use a brake.

 

[ROK]

Range day with the Lab Radar and a 16" CZ 455 and a 16" AR using my 55gr Hornady FMJBT load. The AR upper I just put together and mounted the scope at the range. In the time it took me to line up my plumb-bob and level everything, the tables on both side became occupied. The Lab Radar picked up all the shots around me and displayed velocities for some. Delete-Delete-Delete-Delete.

Turned it off and just sighted in at 50 yards.

Moved to a remote area on 100 yard side and the LR worked as expected. I have the mic for .22 rimfire and clipped it to the front bag rest. It picked up every shot. And only my shots, but I had to give it space.

Still figuring out it's ins and outs, but a terrific piece of equipment!